Metallic waste-basket.



M. S. POTTER & W. NOBLE. IVIETALUC WASTE BASKEL.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19. I914.

Patented July 17,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- V M. s. POTTER & w. NOBLE.

METALUC WASTE BAS'KEI.

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19. 1914.

Patented Ju1y17,1917..

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mmmw

MILES S. POTTER, 0F SYRAGUSE,.NEW YORK, AND WARREN NOBLE, 0F DETROIT, MICHI- GAN, ASSIGNORS TU UNITED STATES STEEL FURNITURE COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPGRATTON OF NEW YORK.

METALLIC WASTE-BASKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 1'7, 1917..

Application filed November 19, 1914. Serial No. 872,903.

and WARREN NOBLE, whose p'ost-oflice ad-v dress and residence is Addison Apartments, Detroit, Michigan, have invented an Improvement in Metallic Waste-Baskets, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

The present invention has for its object the production of awaste basket made of metal without requiring rivets, solder, or any of the usual means of fastening sheet metal parts, and which, at the same time, shall be firm, rigid, and the parts relatively immovable in use so that it shall not have any of the objectionable features of being liable to rattling and looseness. One of the frequent occasions of fires in offices is the burning of the waste basket, which, being usually made of wicker work or wood, burns readily. Accordingly, the principal aim is to make a closed metal basket, which, in case its contents shall catch fire, will confine the fire to said contents and will not itself ignite, or permit the transmission of the fire to the floor or surrounding objects.

A further feature of the invention is that the article has a knock-down construction, being capable of readily being taken apart and put together again.

Among the leading features is the provision of a broad flange and rounded top rim, preferably endless and made of one piece. This unites with other novel features, being so constructed, for example, that it receives and locks the plurality of panels which go to make up the sides of the basket. A third feature resides in. having said sides locked at their lower ends to the basket by the insertion of the bottom into the basket structure. Stated more broadly, one feature of the invention resides in looking the parts of the basket proper together at one end, (top or bottom, preferably the former), and providing a rim or edge portion to lock the parts together at the opposite end of the basket. Another feature consistsof making the various locking portions deflected at partly such an angle that when the parts are put together they wedge or spring against each other, so as to hold the metal against metal, firmly and under constant tension, sufficient to prevent rattling and looseness. As it is desirable in the manufacture of metallic receptacles, furniture, and the like, to use relatively thin, and therefore inexpensive sheet metal, it has heretofore been diflioult to obtain a suitable bearing at the corners of such plates, without overlapping and riveting the corners, owing to the thin meeting edges of the contacting metal plates. This is obviated, and great strength and rigidity se cured by providing a substantially broad bearing face for the meeting edges of the metal plates constituting the article, said bearing faces being secured by bending the edges of the plates to form longitudinal edge flanges, triangular in cross section, so as to present broad meeting bearing faces against each other at each corner, firmly braced at theirfree edges against the body of the sheet or panel. These corner stiffening members are preferably also formed with sufficient binding effect to aid in constituting the cooperating interlocking feature above noted. The invention, although primarily intended for waste baskets and other hollow receptacles of a similar nature, is adapted in many of its features to the construction of various kinds of metal furniture.

The various features of the invention, in cluding the above, will be more fully apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying draw-- ings, in which a simple form of the waste basket is shown.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, in cross section, of a tapered waste basket;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 isa top plan view of the waste basket;

Fig. 4 shows in elevation, one of the panels, partly broken away to exhibit the triangular bearing flange, or corner bearing mentioned;

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the bottom of the receptacle;

, Fig. 6 is a sectional view looking at one corner from the inside of the basket, taken on the line 66, Fig. 3:

V Fig. 7 is a cross sectional. detail through one side of the top rim of the receptacle;

" Fig. 8 is a sectional detail on the line 88, Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional View looking outward at one corner near the bottom of the receptacle, taken on the line 9-9, Fig. 1; I

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through the bottom, looking at one corner of the basket, taken on the line10.-10, Fig. 2; j

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one form of interlocking corner piece, or foot, for .joining and locking two adjacent panels;

F 12. is a plan view' showing the parts in their initial positions as the basket is being put together; I Fig.13 is an enlarged sectional detail at a corner, illustrating the way in which a panel is inserted and interlocked, or sprung,

into gripping engagement with the top rim, the latter being shown bottom side up; and

h Fig. 14. is a horizontal sectional view on the line 1414, Fig. 1, looking upward against the underside of the top rim.

Taking a rectangular tapered waste basketas a convenient example for illustrating the invention, it will be seen that the four sides or panels 1 areidentieal in shape and construction. Each consists of a sheet of metal, tapered longitudinally, having its opposite longitudinal edges 2 bent over inwardly and back on the sheet to contact with the inner surface of the latter and constitute triangular flanges or ribs, whose two faces 3 and 4 are formed at, or approximately at, right angles to each other. The face4 forms with the body 1 of the panel van angle of slightly more than 45 degrees,

so that when the two triangular ribs of two ad acent panels are forced together as shown in Figs. 9 and 14, the faces 4, 4 will be compelled to crowd tightly against each other,

springing the faces 3, 3 so as to slide the edges 2, ,2 slightly, if necessary, along the panels, in order to bring the faces 4, 4 flat against each other. This is-merely one of the means herein provided for making it absolutely impossible for the basket .to' rat- ;tle or be loose at any point when the parts are properly put together. This construction provides a relatively broad bearing surface '4 of each flange or rib of one panel ors heet, to bear against the corresponding face or surface of the flange or rib of the adjacent panel or-sheet, thereby giving a firm contact for these two edges throughout their entire length, constituting a contacting surface much broader than the thickness of the sheet material, and of a substantially equal extent to an overlapping joint, while at the same time giving great rigidity and firmness to an otherwise frail sheet material whichwould be liable to bend and gap open at the corners. At one end, herein shown as at the upper end, of each panel or sheet 1 an outwardly extended top flange 5 is formed to cooperate with the top rim in automatically holding the panels together, while at the other end, herein shown as at the bottom, each panel or sheet has an upturned bottom flange 6 which extends in U-shape, fiat against, or parallel to, the main body of the sheet 1 to cooperate with the bottom in holding the basket together. The rim 7 of the basket, herein shown as a top rim, as already mentioned, constitutes one of the leading novelties and most important features of the basket. This rim not only gives a broad, heavy, substantial appearance to the basket and is convenient to grasp and lift the basket by because of its broad, flattopped shape and larger periphery or overhanging arrangement, but it cooperates with. the panel flanges 5, as well as the vertical ribs 3, 4, to secure the panels together quickly and without rivets or pins and also without any possibility of rattling or looseness. This rim has two main flanges to cooperate with each panel, an inner flange 8 and an outer flange 9, as clearly shown in Fig. 7, the former being preferably longer than the latter, and extending normally vertically, while the flange 9 extends diagonally inward so as to underhang the top edge, or rim proper, designated by 7 in Fig. 7. At each corner a smaller flange 10 is formed, corresponding to the flange 8 excepting that it is preferably shorter or more shallow. The short flange 10 is for the purpose of embracing the two triangular ribs or flanges bearing against their faces 3, while the depending flange 8 bears against the body of the panel 1 across the entire top thereof, opposite the flange 5, and the flange 9 bears against said entire top, opposite the flange S. In other words, each pair of flanges S and 9 grasps between them the top end of the adjacent panel, while the flange 5 of said panel is held braced within the rim against the underside of the top thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The bottom 11 consists simply of a rectangular sheet, clipped oil slightly at its corners 12 (on account of the triangular ribs 3, 4), and having all its edges 13 bent outwardly at approximately right angles to the general plane of the bottom, as shown in Fig. 5 in which the botformed by the faces 3, 4 on the panels 1, the width between the parts 15,. 16 being just sufficient to permit the member 14 to be crowded into place so as to embrace the parts 4,4 with a tight grasp. Preferably, these members 14 have a rounded bottom 16 to constitute feet for the basket, so as to raise itslightly from the floor, although the feet, as such, may be formed in any other manner, integral with the panels 1, or bottom 11 or otherwise, as may be desired. Preferably the members 14 have their upper ends beveled or tapered at 17, 18 for facilitating their-wedging entrance into the hollow ribs or flanges of the panels.

In assembling the basket, the rim 7 is placed top down, asshown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14, and the four panels 1 are placed as shown in Fig. 12. Each panel has its flange 5 sprung between the flanges 8 and 9 at its side of the top rim, as shown in Fig. 13, and then the panel is raised from its full line position, Fig. 13, and at the same time forced downwardly until it reaches the dotted posik tion, Fig. 13. All the panels are thus positioned, and when their small ends are brought together it will be seen that the flanges 5 of the panels are all snugly housed within the top rim, while the panels themselves are firmly grasped by the flanges 8, 9 and 10 of said top rim, and the ribs 3, 4 are maintained under sufficient tension to make a tight joint at each corner. Because of the slanting position of each rib with reference to the top, the flanges 8 are sprung inwardly, as shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 13, so that the parts retain permanently more or less spring grasp or tension on each other. If. the clamping or wedging interlocking members 14 are used, they are inserted in the triangular pockets formed therefor by the longitudinal ribs or flanges of the panels at the small ends of said panels. Whether these members are employed or not, the basket, having been put together as thus far described, is turned into upright position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the bottom 11 is then crowded down into place with its flanges 13 forced or sprung into interlocking engagement with the upturned flanges 6 of the panels, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 10. This completes the basket.

As already mentioned, the invention, although shown as embodied in a waste basket, is applicable, in many of its features, to metal furniture, and articles of more complicated construction. By so constructing and arranging the parts at each joint as to permit of an interlocking spring tension, the objectionable rattling noise and consequent looseness commonly found in metal articles, is avoided. The absence of rivets, solder, and other usual fastening means, renders the article inexpensive and capable of ready detachment' or knock-down construction. The mutual dependence of the various parts, as well as their shape and organization, give rigidity and strength without requiring heavy sheet metal. The entire receptacle may be readily stamped from sheet metal and quickly assembled by persons unskilled in. metal working, and without the aid of any special tools.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an article of the kind described, a plurality of vertical panel members, combined with a rim provided with a cornerportion having a hollow pocket-like interior formed by opposite flanges, two of said vertical members having at one end horizontal flanges for entering said pocket-like interior adjacent the corner between said opposite flanges, said corner-portion and two vertical members having a mutually bracing spring tension resisting relation when said members are brought to normal position with their flanges inside said corner-portion.

2. In an article of the kind described, a plurality of vertical panel members, combined with a rim provided with a cornerportion having a hollow pocket-like interior formed by opposite flanges, two of said vertical members having at one end horizontal flanges for entering said pocket-like interior adjacent the corner between said opposite flanges, said corner-portion and two vertical members having a mutually bracing relation. when said members are brought to normal position with their flanges inside said corner-portion, said vertical members at their free ends opposite said COIDQY-POI" tion, having inwardly extending U-shaped flanges, and a cooperating member having angularly disposed flanges adapted to interlock with the two Ushaped flanges of said two vertical members to hold the said vertical members and the cooperating member together.

3. In an article of the kind described, an end corner-portion having a hollow pocketlike interior formed by opposite flanges, combined with two adjacent vertical members having at one end horizontal flanges for entering and turning within said pocket-like interior adjacent the corner between said opposite flanges, said corner-portion and two vertical members having a mutually bracing relation when said members are brought to normal position with their flanges inside said corner-portion, each vertical member having an approximately triangular flange formed on its longitudinal edge in line with the corner, whereby, when the two vertical members are brought together to form a corner ofthe article, said triangular flanges abut flat a 'ainst each other face to face to form a stiff, tight joint;

4:. In an article of the kind described, a

plurality of vertical panel members, composition with their flanges inside. said corner-portion, each vertical member having an approximately triangular flange formed on its longitudinal edge in line with the corner, whereby, when the two vertical members are brought together to form a corner of the article, said triangular flanges abut to form a stiff, tight joint, said vertical members at their free ends opposite said corner-portion, having inwardly extending U-shaped flanges, and a cooperating member having angularly disposed flanges adapted to interlock with the two U-shaped flanges of said two vertical members to hold the said vertical members and the cooperating member together.

.5. In an article of the kind described, a

' plurality of vertical panel members, combined with a rim provided with a cornerportion having a hollow pocket-like interior formed by opposite flanges, two of said vertical members having at one end horizontal flanges for entering said pocket-like interior adjacent the corner between said opposite flanges, said corner-portion and two vertical members having a mutually bracing relation when said members are brought to normal position with their flanges inside said corner-portion, each vertical member having an approximately triangular flange formed on its longitudinal edge in line with the corner, whereby, when the two vertical members are brought together to form a corner of the article, said triangular flanges abut to form a stiff, tight joint, said vertical members at their free ends opposite said corner-portion, having inwardly extending U-shaped flanges, a cooperating'member having angularly disposed flanges adapted to interlock with the two U-shaped flanges of said two vertical members to hold the said vertical members and the cooperating member together, and a prong-like interlocking member having two prongs to wedge into the two triangular flanges at the free ends of said vertical members at the corner when said vertical members are brought together.

6. An article of the kind described, comprising a plurality of quadrangular taper ing panels," each having an outwardly bent horizontal flange at its broader end and an inwardly and upwardly turned U flange at its narrower end, the opposite tapering edges of said panel being straight and provided with triangular in-turned vertical flanges,

an endless, broad, flat-topped hollow rim, opening on its under side to receive the broader ends of said panels, said rim being shaped to overhang said panels, and embrace said horizontal flanges thereof in the overhanging portion, and a bottom having its edges downturned and fitted, under tension, into the upturned U flanges of the narrower ends of said panels.

7. An article of the kind described, com-@ .of panels arranged edge to edge to form the body of the article, an endless over-hanging top rim, having interlocking flanged e11- gagement with all of said panels at one end of the latter, to form a continuous smooth rim for one end of said body and to constitute the open top end of the basket, each panel at its end opposite said rim having an inwardly and upwardly bent U flange, and a bottom shaped to flt within said body and having downturned edge flanges slid downward into said upturned U flanges of the panels.

9. A wastebasket, having an open top and a closed bottom, comprising a plurality of panels arranged edge to edge to form the body of the article, an endless over-hanging top rim, having interlocking flanged engagement with all of said panels at one end of the latter, to form a continuous smooth rim for one end of said body and to constitute the open top end of the basket, each panel at its end opposite said rim having an inwardly and upwardly bent U flange, a bottom shaped to fit within said body and having downturned edge flanges slid downward within the article into said upturned flanges of the panels, and depending feet at the corners adjacent the bottom for supporting the article.

10. An article of the kind described, comprising a polygonal top rim having depending external flanges and opposite depending internal. flanges normally kept under tension by and against the panels in the completed article, a series of said panels or sides held at their upper ends between said external and internal flanges of the rim, and provided with lateral flanges held within said rnn.

11. An article of the kind described, comprising a polygonal top rim having dependiug external flanges and opposite depending internal flanges normally under tension in the completed article, a series of panels or sides held at their upper ends between said external and internal flanges of the rim, provided with lateral flanges held Within said rim, and a bottom having interlocking engagement with the ends of said panels opposite said rim for holding all of said panels close together at said bottom.

12. An article of the kind described, comprising a multi-paneled body, means for holding the top ends of said panels together and means for holding the bottom ends of said panels together, each panel having its longitudinal edges bent inwardly to form a joint face and thence bent at its extreme free edge back against the inner face of the panel to brace said joint face, and form with the latter a triangular rib or flange, thejoint face of adjacent panels being held flat against each other to constitute tight corner joints.

13. In an article of the kind described, a series of tapering panels having their vertical straight edges bent inwardly to form hollow triangles, and a series of feet for the smaller ends of said tapering panels, each foot having a pair of projecting triangular parts having a wedging fit within said hollow triangular edges.

14. A metallic receptacle of the kind described, having a plurality of thin metallic sides, triangular flanges formed on the vertical edges of each side constituting abutting angular faces for an adjacent side, and in terlocking end members to engage said flanges and hold the adjacent flanges in contact.

15. A metallic receptacle of the kind described. having a plurality of thin metallic sides, triangular flanges formed on the upright edges of each side constituting abutting angular faces for an adjacent side, and interlocking end members to engage the ends of said flanges and hold the adjacent flanges in contact under spring tension.

16. A metallic receptacle of the kind described, having a plurality of thin metallic sides, flanges formed on the. upright edges of each side constituting abutting angular faces for an adjacent side, said flanges forming with the side on which they are substantially a triangle in cross section.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

MILES S. POTTER. Witnesses:

HOWARD WHITE, ARTHUR H. EOKLAND,

WARREN NOBLE. Witnesses:

ROY J. SoUrER, AUsrIN M. WILsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

